The Reef & Rainforest Tour

This self drive tour incorporates some of the highlights of Queensland’s tropical far north. This is the region where rainforest meets reef and is the location of many of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions. A campervan rental provides the perfect means to enjoy this tour, whether you use the itinerary shown below or set your own.

The tour is centered around Cairns, the largest of Queensland’s tropical towns. The surrounding areas offer a wide range of holiday resorts and hotels, World Heritage listed rainforests, easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, cruising, sailing, diving, blue water sport fishing, hot-air ballooning, jet boating, sea kayaking , canoeing and white water rafting at several sites . The region is home to some of Australia’s most popular tour activities.

Tour Highlights:

Take a cruise to the reef and the islands. Enjoy some world class diving, snorkelling over the coral reefs or just enjoy the sights from a glass bottomed boat.  Climb aboard a historic steam train and ride the 34 kms of Kuranda Scenic Rail between Cairns and Kuranda, one of the oldest railway lines in Queensland. Pass by pristine rainforests, cascading waterfalls , spectacular views and testimony to the pioneering spirit. Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for the trip back to Cairns.

The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park provides a unique attempt to explain the local Aboriginal culture .  Explore the lovely coves and inlets along Cairn’s northern beaches. Play a round of golf on one of the several resort golf courses . Go further north to the ritzy holiday resort town of Port Douglas and then on to the Greater Daintree and Cape Tribulation national parks. This is the World Heritage listed area where Barrier Reef meets rainforest. There are numerous day trips , cruises on the Daintree river, mountain bike tours and lots of eco tours.

Visit the volcanic plateau of Atherton Tablelands with its rainforests, rich pastures, crater lakes and waterfalls. Check the dates for the popular rodeo at Mareeba, explore limestone caves at Chillagoe, the crater lakes at Yungaburra and take a dip in the swimming holes at the Malanda and Milla Milla falls. Explore the Cassowary Coast to the south  of Cairns. Visit the sugar town of Innisfail and prepare to be surprised at the rainfall figures at nearby Tully. Try white-water rafting in the Tully, Barron and North Johnstone rivers and visit  Dunk and Hinchinbrook Islands in Rockingham Bay. 

State:     Queensland
Tour Start: Cairns
Tour End: Cairns
Duration: 5 days
Distance: 500 kilometres (315 miles)
Vehicle Type: Suitable for 2WD sedans, campervans and 4WD

Timetable:

Day 1: Cairns to Port Douglas
Day 2: Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest
Day 3: Port Douglas to Innisfail via the Cairns Highlands
Day 4: Innisfail to Mission Beach
Day 5: Mission Beach to Cairns